ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Building a Solid Foundation for Success

Since the global downturn that was precipitated by the 2008 financial crisis, The IIA has revitalized its business and finances and is well-placed to ensure delivery of the strategic plan for 2015–20.

Member retention rates have risen to well above the national average for professional bodies, further bolstering The IIA’s financial success and creating a cycle of enhanced services and high member satisfaction.

On solid financial ground, The IIA has expanded and supported a vibrant professional network — a prerequisite for the profession’s future success — filled with networking opportunities for internal auditors. For example, The IIA’s 2015 General Audit Management (GAM) Conference made history by setting yet another new attendance record.

Financial Performance

membership by the numbers

Research to Advance the Profession

The IIA Research Foundation (IIARF) in 2015 began publishing an extensive series of reports based on the findings from the Common Body of Knowledge (CBOK) practitioner survey. CBOK is the world’s largest ongoing study of the internal audit profession, and its results provide a rich overview of how the profession is currently being practiced, and changes that are anticipated in the future.

Throughout 2016, in collaboration with Protiviti, The IIARF will report results from the Stakeholder Survey — the second component of the complete global CBOK study. The purpose of this initiative is to gain a global perspective and better understanding of stakeholders’ expectations of internal audit’s purpose, function, and performance.

Putting Members First

Everywhere, all the time, The IIA seeks to provide sustainable value for members by delivering effective solutions that enable practitioners to make a difference in their organizations. With that goal at the forefront of plans for the future, The IIA is working to provide:

An International Chapter Program to enhance services for internal auditors in underserved regions around the globe.

A refreshed design for Audit Channel that features nearly 500 videos, each a few minutes in length, covering core topics, emerging issues, and helpful advice from internal audit leaders.

Meanwhile, the new My IIA portal enables North American members and customers to manage their interaction with The IIA. Users can update their profiles, update communication preferences, review relevant activities, and read the latest industry news.

The IIA places paramount importance on customers’ data security. In November, The IIA learned of a data breach of the third-party vendor that manages the Certification Candidate Management System (CCMS), potentially putting some customers’ personal information at risk. In response, The IIA quickly began communicating with affected customers, and working closely with the vendor to resolve a myriad of issues to ensure its future security. The IIA also expedited implementation of a Single Sign-On (SSO) system, as an added layer of protection for customers and members.

The IIA’s North American concierge program began in 2014 to provide improved service to large audit departments of 100 or more staff. Since its inception, the concierge program has:

Delivered personalized, high-level support.

Acted as the members’ primary point of contact.

Helped members take advantage of their benefits.

“The IIA’s audit group concierge facilitated our membership renewal process smoothly and efficiently, and the turnaround time for responses to our questions has been tremendously fast.”

Angela Jackson, Project ManagerRSM US LLP

To continue the evolution toward exceeding members’ service expectations, an audit group portal will launch next year to enable audit groups of any size to manage their group membership online.

Our Volunteers Advance Internal Audit

“I volunteered to co-chair the Common Body of Knowledge project because of its potential to impact the profession. To me, a true professional looks for ways to support and give back to the profession, so that it can grow.

The CBOK project marshalled over 200 volunteers around the globe. I have found that my volunteer work has enabled me to meet other professionals and expand my network of contacts around the world. Also, I've known my fellow CBOK co-chair, Jean Coroller, for more than 20 years, and the opportunity to work with really talented people like him was a big part of my decision to be involved in the project. We’ve been quite an effective team, bringing together our different perspectives to make it a truly global undertaking.

Through this project, I’ve also gotten a stronger grip on the universal issues and challenges that internal auditors face, which has helped shape my own responses as a practitioner. You don't get those opportunities by just sitting in your office.”

Internal Audit Rising:
The Next Generation

Internal Auditor magazine, the world’s flagship internal audit publication, is committed to supporting younger professionals and has developed several programs to better meet the needs of the next generation of internal auditors.

By inviting internal auditors to nominate young professionals they feel are making an impact in the profession, the magazine identifies emerging leaders who then help drive improvements in content for the magazine and The IIA. They also serve as a resource for The IIA’s North American Board by providing insight into issues and opportunities impacting younger professionals.

To support new internal audit practitioners’ deeper understanding of the complex challenges and risks facing modern business, the magazine in early 2016 announced six new US$1,000 scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students. Candidates can apply to earn the scholarships by submitting essays on topics that demonstrate their knowledge of the profession and the internal auditor’s role in the 21st century.